Offset Toggle Method for Wind Turbine Performance Validation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wind turbine performance evaluation methods using nacelle anemometers are hindered by measurement imprecision and aerodynamic effects, leading to unpredictable biases in wind speed measurements and subsequent performance assessments.
Innovation Solution
An offset toggle method that measures wind speed and power data with a fixed time lag, allowing for accurate determination of turbine performance across different operational modes by generating and comparing data sets with consistent parameter measurements, thereby mitigating biases and improving validation efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional toggle tests use nacelle anemometer to measure wind speed, then wind speed measurement is obtained, but measurement bias occurs due to NTF changes between operational states
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a new measurement intermediary (anemometer mounted on the tower) to replace the problematic nacelle anemometer. This tower-mounted anemometer serves as an independent measurement point that is not affected by the turbine's aerodynamic effects, thereby providing unbiased wind speed measurements for comparing different operational states without the NTF bias problem
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the wind speed measurement function from the nacelle anemometer system and relocates it to the tower. By separating the measurement function from the turbine structure, the measurement is no longer influenced by the turbine's aerodynamic effects, eliminating the source of measurement bias
2Measurement precision
If toggle tests are performed to validate upgrade benefits, then performance comparison between operational states is achieved, but validation time is extended due to measurement biases requiring correction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by pre-installing the tower-mounted anemometer and establishing it as the primary measurement device before conducting toggle tests. This eliminates the need for post-measurement corrections and NTF determinations, allowing direct comparison of operational states and significantly reducing validation time
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for evaluating performance of a wind turbine 10 includes operating the wind turbine 10 in a first operational mode 70. The method also includes generating a first set 76 of operational data relating to the first operational mode 70. More specifically, the first set 76 of operational data includes, at least, a first parameter 80 and a second parameter 82. Further, the first and second parameters 80, 82 of the first set 76 are measured during different time periods during the first operational mode 70. The method further includes changing the first operational mode 70 to a second operational mode 72. Moreover, the method includes generating a second set 78 of operational data relating to the second operational mode 72. The second set 78 of operational data also includes, at least, a first parameter 84 and a second parameter 86. Thus, the method includes determining a performance characteristic of the first and second operational modes 70, 72 based on the first and second sets 76, 78 of operational data.